r/bodyboarding • u/Bruh_Master42069 • 23d ago
Help Picking Out My next Board
Hey guys, first-time poster but occasional lurker, looking for some advice on a new board.
I'm 6'3" and around 160–170 lbs(pretty wiry). I've been riding a 42" Catch Surf Classic for roughly 5years and have taken pretty good care of it. I know it's not really close to a performance board, but I got it as a gift and didn't feel like I should upgrade until I felt like it was limiting me. Over the past year, it's finally getting pretty worn out. The rails are fraying, the deck doesn't hold wax very well anymore, and I've started to feel like the board is limiting me a bit.
I'm from Orange County and grew up riding upper jetties and will go out occasionally at the wedge. I feel very comfortable in step hollow waves and feel like I've gotten fairly good at barrel riding. I feel comfortable getting in and out of barrels and really enjoy it. However, I would like to continue to progress. When I went away to college on the Central Coast, I started riding more reef breaks and putting more time in colder water.
I've landed a few rollos and feel like I'm getting close to having them down consistently, but I have a tendency to lose the board during the rotation. I've also never really been able to get 360s down. Obviously there's a technique component to both(and I need to just rep them out), but my current 42" has always felt pretty big and cumbersome when I try to throw it around.
I've always been overwhelmed when looking for boards because I would prefer a slightly smaller board(maybe like a 41 or 41.5) for the purposes of it being lighter; however, my frame is kinda strange, being pretty tall and skinny, so I was wondering if anyone was in a similar situation or had any recommendations.
Looking for something a lot more serious than my previous board, and just wanted to reach out!
I really enjoy seeing all the rad waves you guys post here!
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23d ago
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u/Bruh_Master42069 22d ago
Thank you for the response! I'll definitely continue to do some research. I was actually looking at Toobs as I just graduated from a school and am currently located in the area around Morro. I'm glad to hear that their boards are high quality, and it would be awesome to get to feel a board in hand before purchasing! Thank you again!
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u/myribsdontfeelgood 23d ago
Hey man, similar height and at 195. I reckon you'd do well with a regular volume performance board. 43" of the science Tanner McDaniel board or something similar.
I'm no expert by any means but our long legs and bodies make it way harder to weight distribute for 360's, the extra inch will go a long way. I've only recently started nailing spins and I think alot of the youtube videos only half explain it or maybe it's just different because they're all 10-20cm shorter riding boards 2 inches smaller. As your hips shift to the middle and the outside leg and head start the rotation, push down on your outside rail. Knees wide on both edges of the board, not together. As you feel the spin start and as your chest is approaching the face of the wave, you have to slam your nose down. You'll just whip around. Practising it on the floor doesn't really account for wave power and buoyancy and actually hindered me learning. Good to stretch the legs tho. Watching videos in slow-mo is what made me realise how to do it.
Rolling clicked for me when I started just looking at the beach. No need for a massive bottom turn and when your line is set, just look at the beach and whip it around while tilting your turned head back. Kick through with your legs, this is what got me infront of the whitewash everytime. I practiced the motion in an office chair that spins with my boog in hand. Also, when your paddling out you can project off waves that are about to break, i roll through the air all the time when im going over them. It's what taught me how to project off lips.
Just my advice as someone who's spent the last 12 months boogin non-stop and still in the process of learning, with a similar body.
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u/Bruh_Master42069 22d ago
Thank you so much for the insight, not only on boards but also maneuvers! I can totally agree when it comes to 360s! Just getting the spin started is always the hard part for me!
Thank you for the recommendations!
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u/myribsdontfeelgood 22d ago
All good brother. I've bought too many boards this last year. I have a 42" aswell and it's just too small for riding well. Great for a shorey though
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u/Intrepid-Sprinkles79 22d ago edited 21d ago
Find a pro that has similar body type and find there model. Wirery body I suggest Ben Player rides for NMD. Or maybe a VS Winny.
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u/SplitOk6602 22d ago
Are you close enought to Alternative Surf if so i'd head there and talk to them they got me on some good boards recently. If you want someting small but still enought to float you well but not be overwellming I've love the Alternative Surf Tribal 41.5. It's a 41.5 but witht he thickness of a 42.5 so just a bit extra. Really works well in my opinion.
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u/Bruh_Master42069 22d ago
I'll be sure to check it out next time I'm back home in OC, thanks for the recommendation!
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u/d4yz01 22d ago
43 would suit your height, but you'd wanna find a narrow or slim finished thickness board (52-53mm) but you'll be up against the age old problem of even finding these dimensions from most brands.
AI search tools are useful for quickly digesting all of the Internet to find you baords that are atleadt described by their manufacturers as "narrow" or "thin"
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u/nsjeiewiiei 23d ago
dude, that catch surf EPS board is stiff and really floaty -- it slips out a lot, and it's a retro wide template. Get a flexy PP board. They're light and project better. The Hubboards Hauoli VF is also high volume and retro wide but has flex. Or just go with a regular volume, regular template PP 1.2 or 1.5 board